Machine for seaming and folding the edges of sheet metal for and in the manufacture of boxes, canisters, and the like.



P. E. ADAMS.

MACHINE FOR. SBAMING AND FOLDING THE EDGES 0F SHEET METAL FOR AND IN THEMANUFACTURE OF BOXES, GANISTERS, AND THE LIKE.

APPLIOATION FILED JUNE 21, 1910.

1 ,O4=O, 836, Patented Oct. 8, 1912.

fall,

UNITED STATES PATENT UFFTGE.

FRANK EDWARD ADAMS, OF BROMBOROUGH, ENGLAND.

MACHINE FOR SEAMING AND FOLDING THE EDGES OF SHEET METAL FOR AND IN THEMANUFACTURE OF BOXES, CANISTERS, AND THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 8,1912.

Application filed June 21, 1910. Serial No. 568,125.

the manufacture of boxes, canisters, and

the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines for. seaming and folding the edges ofsheet metal in the manufacture of boxes, canisters, and other articles;and it has for its primaryl object to provide improved means forefliciently and securely seaming and oining the edges of sheet metal,whereby the seamed joint has an improved and regular appearance, and theseaming actions are cfliclently and quickly performed.

Referring to the drawings, Figures 1 to 1 are sectional views showingthe tools and parts in different positions, and in different stages ofthe operation; while Fig. 5 1s a plan View of one of the tools.

The vertical part 50 of the box has a horizontal flange 51; while thehorizontal part 100 has vertical parts 101 and 102, which.

constitute an annular trough in which the flange 51 and the lower partof the body or;

part 50 fit.

1 designates the support for the parts of the box, and such supportserves to hold the flanged edges in proximity to the operating tools,each of which comprises two parts, a lower part 2, and an upper part Thelower part 2 is constructed wlth an inchned face 4, and a vertical face5, with a shallow.

groove in the latter; and the upper part 3 has a vertical face 5 and adownwardly projecting portion 6; and such upper part is movablerelatively to the lower part 2, and is normally pressed toward thesupport 1 by springs 7 which bear against abutments 8, on the uppersurface of the lower part 2, but the movement of the upper part 3relatively to the lower part is limited by pins 9 attached to the part2, and working in slots 10 in the upper part 3.

The tool parts 2 and 3 are mounted in carriers 12, which slide in theframe 14 of the machine, and are operated by a cam or cams in any knownsuitable way.

The parts of the article to be seamed and joined are arranged on thesupport 1 with the bottom of the trough between the vertical portions101 and 102 of the part 100 resting on the upper edge of the box guide16 of the support, such parts being arranged in this position, while theparts 2 and 3 of the operating tools are in the position shown inFig. 1. Hence the parts to be folded and seamed are supported from belowby the part 16, and from behind by the support 1, and the lower edge orangle of the part 2 of the tools will in this position of parts standslightly above the horizontal flange 51.

When the tools 2, 3, are moved toward the parts to be joined by thesliding carriers 12, the faces of the upper parts 3 of the tools 3 firstcome in contact with the vertical part 50, and hold it firmly inposition in the other part 100, and then the lower part 2 of the toolscomes in contact with the flange 101, and bends it inward over theflange 51, the final position of the parts being that shown in Fig. 2.The carriers 12 and the tools are next moved away from the body of thearticle being seamed, shown in Fig. 3, so that the upper parts 3 do notpress upon the surface of the body 50, but may remain in contacttherewith, and the faces 5 of the lower part 2 of the tools are outsidethe vertical plane in which the outside edge of the seam lies. \Vhile inthese positions, the support is raised to the position shown in Fig. 3,and the toe or edge of the projecting portion 6 of the upper parts 3 ofthe tools brought in contact or nearly so with the innermost part of theflanges being seamed and which are next to the vertical part 50, and thenow horizontal flange 101. YVhen in the position just described, and asshown in Fig. 3, the projecting portion 6 serves as an abutment forholding the seam or fold. When the tools are again pressed inward ontothe body or part 50, it is again gripped and held firmly in position,and the inclined or beveled face 4; of the lower part 2 of the toolsstrike the folded parts of the article, and tilt and bend them upward tothe angle of the beveled face, as shown in Fig. l, the too or edge ofthe portion (3 during this bending action, acting as an abutment to thefold at the innermost point as above described. After the bendingoperation, the tools are again moved to the position shown in Fig. 3,and the support 1 lowered so as to remove the bent up seam from theportions 0, and to bring the bent up fold or seam to a plane parallelwith the recessed grooves in the,

faces 5 of the lower parts 2 of the tools.

-When the tools are again moved inwardly,

to the position shown in Fig. 1, the article is removed from themachine. This last squeezing action is best, and therefore preferablyeffected by a plurality of successive actions of the tool 2; as animproved and a better looking seam or fold is obtained thereby; that is,the seam or fold is pressed and consolidated closely against the body orpart 50 of the canister or article made.

It is to be stated that while in the case shown in and with reference tothe draw-. ings, the tools are of angular form, two of which-one on eachside are adapted to accomplish the folding and seaming actions Irequired in a rectangular boX or article, yet these tools may be of anyappropriate shape, and in any suitable number, dependingupon the shapeor configuration of the article to be produced, and other circumstancesof the:

manufacture or requirements; and, further, that whlle the manner ofarrang ng and constructing the tool and parts partlcularly shown anddescribed is convenient and advantageous to the manufacture of boxes orarticles of a rectangular form, yet the invent1on 15 not restrlctedtoit; and the features of thls machlne, and themanner of scanning 'orfolding sheet metal, which constitutes the novel characteristlcshereunder, are set face; a lower edge and a recessed part; and; j

the upper part having a downWardly-pro-g jecting portion which, isalways disposed h between the inclined face and the workand moves to andfrom such face and the work; the lower edge serving to fold the bottomflange over the flange on the body, the projecting portion serving tohold the work and as a fulcrum when the inclined face bears against theflanges for folding them per and lower parts movable relatively to eachother and together to and from the work, the lower part having aninclined face; and the upper part a downwardly projecting portion whichis disposed between the inclined face and work during the whole of theoperations of seaming and folding and means for effecting a plurality ofsqueezing operations against the lower part.

3. A machine for seaming and folding the edges of sheet metal for and inthe manufacture of boxes, canisters and other articles,

comprising operative tools composed of upper and lower parts andsprings, the one part being slidable on and relatively to the other andboth parts being movable together to and from the work, the lower parthaving an inclined face, a lower edge and a recessed portion; and theupper part havin a downwardly projecting portlon which 1s alwaysdisposed in front of the inclined face and is moved away from such. faceby the springs and moved toward the face when the tools are moved towardthe work and the springs are compressed; the lower. edge serving to foldone flange on the other, the

receiving the folded flanges for squeezing.

In testimony whereof Ihave signed my name tothis specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

, FRANK EDWARD ADAMS.

"Witnesses:

,SOMERVILLE GOODALL, [FR NK E. ,FL 'rwooD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for fivecents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, I). G. I I V

